Skilled Independent (subclass 189) vs Skilled Migrant Category

Maintained by Senne Bels, Founder, Transita

If you're weighing Australia against New Zealand for skilled migration, these are the two flagship points-tested routes, and both grant permanent residence with no employer or state sponsorship. Australia's Skilled Independent 189 needs 65 points and an invitation from SkillSelect, where the real bottleneck is selection: only a small share of the large EOI pool is invited each year. New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category sets a lower 6-point bar and tends to be cheaper, though processing can stretch toward 18 months for non-prioritised cases. Salaries and job markets usually matter more than the visa mechanics, so weigh where you'd actually want to work.

Further reading: Australia 189 visa guide · NZ Skilled Migrant Category guide

1. 01

   Ease of selection

   Pick SC 189

   AU 189 needs 65 points and a SkillSelect invitation (competitive)

   Pick SMC

   NZ SMC has a lower 6-point threshold

2. 02

   Age limit

   Pick SC 189

   Generally under 45 at invitation

   Pick SMC

   Up to 55 for SMC

3. 03

   Cost

   Pick SC 189

   ~USD 3,035 government fee

   Pick SMC

   ~USD 3,900 government fee

4. 04

   Economy and salaries

   Pick SC 189

   Larger job market, higher median wages

   Pick SMC

   Smaller market, often faster lifestyle relocation

Is the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) or the Skilled Migrant Category faster to get?

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is typically faster, around 1–18 months, versus 6–18 months for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189). Real timelines depend on the country's caseload and how complete your application is.

Which costs more, the SC 189 or the SMC?

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) costs more, about $3,900 in official fees, versus $3,035 for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) (SC 189). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.

Can I get permanent residency with the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) or the Skilled Migrant Category?

The SC 189 offers a direct path to permanent residency, while the SMC offers a direct path to permanent residency. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.

Do I need a job offer for the SC 189 or the SMC?

No. Neither the SC 189 nor the SMC requires a job offer to apply. Both assess you on your own profile (points, qualifications, or funds) rather than employer sponsorship.